Unfortunately Orrin Hatch, You’ll Still Get My Vote

I am posting an email conversation between myself and Emily Hollingshead, Campaign Manager for Scott Howell and the “Howell for Senate Team.” Please note: Emily was very nice. I am very impressed that she took the time to answer my questions. I wish her and her team well.

As you read this conversation, you may think my questions and answers are too simplistic… But for me, the election really is this simple: If a candidate is voting for Obama (i.e. Jim Matheson), and/or the candidate refuses to sign the Repeal Obamacare Pledge, then they won’t be getting my vote. Here is the conversation:

Emily,
I am heap-hopping-mad about Orrin Hatch’s voting record and behavior in past years.
But as I consider my vote on Tuesday, I need to know two things about Scott:
1. Has Scott signed the Repeal ObamaCare pledge?
2. Is Scott voting for Obama or for Mitt Romney?
Daron D. Fraley
***

Scott has not signed any pledges. For Obamacare, he wants to look at what works and see what can be re-worked. This time, with Republican support.
He has not made public who he is voting for – even his campaign staff has not been informed. I wish I knew… but he has vowed to work with whomever ends up in the white house. He really feels that congress is a huge problem and Orrin has contributed to it.
Thanks for checking in,
Emily
***

Emily,
Then, sorry, I can’t vote for him. ObamaCare is not constitutional, no matter what Justice John Roberts said.
We don’t need Scott working with career politicians in the Republican party to find a way to salvage parts of that horrendous bill that will add trillions to our debt and threaten our liberties, especially liberties of choice and accountability. Sorry, but ObamaCare is a threat to the first amendment.
If Scott won’t repeal it, and start over to find other ways to reform health care, then he doesn’t have my vote.
Daron D. Fraley
***

Thanks for your note. I would encourage you to speak to Scott personally about his rationale… You don’t need to vote for him, but perhaps listen to his reasoning?
If you want to call him directly, his cell phone is XXX-XXX-XXXX. (Number removed; I wouldn’t want MY cell phone here)
Best regards,
Emily
***

Thanks, but I’ll pass. I met Scott. He came through our neighborhood. A genuinely nice guy. I would consider voting for him, however…
I don’t need this rationalized. Obama must be fired, and ObamaCare must be repealed. Both are a serious threat to America.
Thank you,
Daron D. Fraley
***

OK Daron.
One thing to think about.
The Republicans are not going to gain control of the senate, and Orrin Hatch will not be chair of the Senate finance committee. The only way Obamacare can be repealed is if the Republicans have the votes in the senate – and they do not, and will not before it takes full effect in 2014.
I’d rather have someone who is working to fix the problems, because repealing it just is not going to happen. Sorry to report this, but this is where we are.
Obama, however, may very well be defeated.
Best,
Emily
***

Emily,
That may be true… at least for 2012. We’ll try again in 2014.
But what CAN happen in the next two years is for ObamaCare to be completely dismantled. Unfunded in the House. Amended into oblivion in the Senate and House. And then under President Romney, have two new Justices appointed who will give the abominable bill a second look so it can be declared unconstitutional and reversed.
It CAN be defeated, even without a Republican majority.
By Scott not signing the Pledge, it tells me he’s not serious about protecting American citizens from an anti-constitutional travesty forced upon them by a Democrat controlled Senate, without Republican support.
Either Scott is serious about protecting the Constitution, or he isn’t. It really is that simple.
Daron D. Fraley
***

I agree that the lack of Republican support is a problem. I don’t agree that Scott isn’t serious about supporting the constitution. He is very serious about supporting the constitution. That may just be a matter of opinion… or a difference of opinion. But he is very serious about supporting the constitution. We do have a serious problem with the costs of health care in our country, and Scott is serious about fixing that, whether it’s through a rework of Obamacare or a replacement with Romneycare.
Best to you, I do appreciate that you have taken the time to discuss and research the issues which you are passionate about.
Emily
***

Thank you for your time. I do want to leave you with one last thought:
Protecting the Constitution means NOT doing this at the Federal level. Or at least, not as a comprehensive package. Let the states take care of most of the issues around healthcare. The federal government can take care of those portions which pertain to its responsibility (which is very limited… perhaps only in the area of Tort Reform).
That is why ObamaCare must be repealed. And why RomneyCare should NOT be used as a replacement at the Federal level. RomneyCare was a state program, and is not appropriate for the entire nation. Let the states decide for themselves and compete in a free market…
My two cents…
Daron D. Fraley
*****

Again, Emily was very nice. I wish her well. But I’ll have to give Orrin my vote. Begrudgingly. I am far more excited to be voting for Mia Love.

And you can bet we’ll hold Orrin’s feet to the fire, to be sure he remains the “conservative” he now claims to be.

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Comments

Unfortunately Orrin Hatch, You’ll Still Get My Vote — 5 Comments

I’m right there with you. I’ll be pinching my nose when I pull the lever for Orrin, but it’s better than the alternative. I can’t believe anyone is voting Democrat (other than the extreme left) with their new party planks.